Debra Messing is the co-host of the pilot for the Chicken Soup For The Soul reality series Mutual Aid Brigade

EXCLUSIVE: Chicken Soup for the Soul Television Group, a division of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, has greenlit a pilot for an original reality series Mutual Aid Brigade. Production on the pilot begins in April and will be co-hosted and executive produced by Emmy Award-winning actress Debra Messing and author, speaker and activist Shelly Tygielski.

of producers, Mutual Aid Brigade not only engage viewers in charitable activities with each episode, but also show them the results of their efforts and contributions. Mutual Aid Brigade comes from the work of the Pandemic of Love charity founded by Tygielski. Described as mutual aid in action, the volunteer-led community connects people who need help with people who want to be part of the solution. POL has traded more than $100 million in direct donations to date, according to producers.

Mutual Aid Brigade Executive producers are Tygielski and Gillian Hormel with Michael Winter for Chicken Soup for Soul Studios, Laura deNey and Mustafa Bhagat for production company Flicker Filmworks, Mark Schulman and Molly Madden of 3 Arts Entertainment, Sandy Grushow of Phase 2 Media also as Debra Messing and showrunner Dorothy Toran.

“Pandemic of Love proved that many people doing a little can make a big impact,” says Tygielski. “I am happy that our show can bring the mutual aid model into the collective consciousness of our society. So many families in this country are struggling and I hope so Mutual Aid Brigade will be able to remind people that an act of kindness, however small, can change lives. Ultimately, this is a show that will inspire viewers to roll up their sleeves and get active in their own communities.”

“I am very excited to work with this amazing team on this transformative series,” said Messing. “Our goal is to make real, lasting change in the lives of people who are hurting and in need. At the same time, we demonstrate to our audience how any group of local parishioners/strangers with a unifying purpose has the power to transform lives simply by showing up for each other.”

“We are so honored that Shelly, Gillian and Debra have joined us to tell their stories. Each episode embodies the ethos and power of storytelling that has made Chicken Soup for the Soul such a popular brand around the world,” said Michael Winter, SVP of Production for Chicken Soup for the Soul Studios.